How Much Should You Feed a Pomeranian? Feeding Chart & Health Facts
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The Pomeranian is a toy dog breed because of his tiny size. However, he is descended from the German Spitz. Although you won’t catch this tiny little breed pulling sleds, he will probably believe that he is capable, and he certainly has the attitude.
Their size means that they are suitable for apartment living, but their tendency to vocalize may not be suitable for neighbors living close by. Being descended from sled dogs, they will need plenty of exercise and they tend to thrive in colder weather while struggling in hot weather.
As a small breed, the Pomeranian matures more quickly than a large breed. This means that he will reach full size sooner than a large dog, and you can expect your Pom to grow to his full size long before he reaches 12 months old.
Once your Pom reaches adult status, the amount he’ll eat will vary. You’ll hear owners saying their Pom can eat up to ½-cup of good quality dry kibble per pound of body weight a day, split between two or three meals. However, many Pom parents say that’s way too much food, which can lead to obesity. Perhaps a more reasonable expectation is ⅓- to ½-cup per 5 pounds of your dog’s weight. So, an 8-pound Pom should be consuming just under a full cup of kibble per day.
As a puppy, you should feed an age-specific diet, as shown in the feeding chart below.
How Much to Feed a Pomeranian Puppy — Feeding Chart
Important Note: The amount of calories each juvenile dog needs for healthy growth and development depends on many factors, including their age, breed, and activity level. These charts are general guidelines for healthy young dogs, but we recommend confirming them with your vet.
You can also complement this guide by using our dog food calculator here:
The exact amount of calories an individual animal needs to maintain a healthy weight is variable and influenced by many factors including genetics, age, breed, and activity level. This tool is meant to be used only as a guideline for healthy individuals and does not substitute veterinary advice
What to Feed My Pomeranian Puppy
There will always be debate over the best type of food for a dog, and this is true when considering what and how much to feed your Pomeranian.
- Dry food will keep for longer, is easier to measure, and can assist in maintaining good dental hygiene, as well as maintaining a good diet. For a dog of the Pomeranian’s size, we recommend the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula for small breeds.
- Wet food hydrates your dog and tends to be more appealing to their palate. It is normally more expensive than dry food, though, and it won’t keep as long as kibble. You can give your Pom a try of Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain Free Small Breed Wet Dog Food and see how they like it.
- A raw food diet can be seen as challenging because it does take more preparation than opening a bag or a can and serving. However, you can buy bagged raw food that has been freeze-dried and prepared for you. Raw food is often said to be the best option because it more closely mimics what your dog would eat in the wild. Check out CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Petite Salmon Formula Small Breed if you are looking to give this diet a try.
In all honesty, if you aren’t feeding your puppy a raw diet, you should consider providing a combination of dry and wet food. This provides a fully balanced diet, ensures some hydration, and also helps protect their teeth against dental disease while keeping costs down and providing varied meals.
Avoiding Underfeeding & Overfeeding
The Pomeranian is a miniature or toy breed. He will also be small in height but also weight. It can be deceptively easy to overfeed such a small breed because it feels like you aren’t giving enough, but also because even a tiny treat outside of mealtime can include a lot of additional calories.
Always ensure that you follow the feeding guidelines on the food packet and adjust them if you are feeding a combination of food types. If you are feeding both wet and dry food, give them half of the daily recommended amount for both foods. This will ensure that they get a good mix of foods and that they are not eating too much.
Undereating is a major concern for dogs, although this is less concerning with breeds of this small size. Follow the guidelines in our chart or on the food packets. If you’re in any doubt, always contact a veterinarian and ask for their guidance.
When to Switch from Puppy to Adult Food
Pomeranians and other miniature breeds mature more quickly than large and giant breeds. This means that they will reach their full adult size sooner than a breed like Labrador. Most owners can expect their Pom to reach full adult weight by the time they reach 9 months of age.
When their puppy teeth have fallen out and have been replaced by their adult teeth, and when they have stopped growing, this is a good indication that it is time to move to adult food. Choose a good quality kibble. Ideally, this should be designed for small breeds because small breed dogs burn energy quickly, so they benefit from having food that is geared towards their specific metabolism.
You can even get food that has been formulated specifically for the Pomeranian breed, such as Royal Canin Pomeranian Adult Dry Dog Food.
Why Won’t My Pomeranian Puppy Eat?
There are several reasons why a Pomeranian may not be eating:
- Stress and anxiety will put your dog off his meal, much the same as anxiety can stave off a human’s. Such experiences can include moving houses or the arrival of a new baby. Provide your Pom with plenty of reassurance and consult a veterinarian if things don’t improve.
- Dental problems are a common cause of a dog’s loss of appetite. If chewing their food causes tooth pain, dogs are unlikely to chew. Try wet food or mix your Pom’s kibble with a little warm water. Check your dog’s teeth and take him to have them treated professionally if required.
- It could come down to a simple matter of taste and preference. No matter how great the ingredients and appealing the aesthetics, if your dog doesn’t like the smell, the taste, or even the texture of the food, they won’t eat it.
How Much to Feed an Adult Pomeranian
How much to feed an adult Pomeranian will depend on body weight. A 6-pound Pom could realistically consume up to 2 cups of dry kibble, fed over two or three meals a day. But is this healthy?
Based on what we’ve written above, a 6-pound pup shouldn’t even eat 1 cup per day—more like two ⅓-cup servings. Or better yet, three ¼-cup servings.
While large breeds might be better suited to having their food spread over two meals, small breeds like the Pomeranian burn energy quickly, which means that they will benefit from having three meals.
The activity level of your dog will help determine the exact amount they eat. Lively dogs will require a lot more food because they will need this to help replenish the energy they burn off during the day. On the other hand, if your dog leads a sedentary life, they will benefit from being given less food.
Pomeranian Feeding Guide for Seniors
Another factor that will determine how much your Pom eats is their age. When a Pomeranian reaches about 8 to 9 years of age, they will be considered senior. At this point in life, they will be less likely to play or to charge around their apartment. They will want shorter walks, and because they expend less energy daily, they will need less food.
Senior food usually has higher levels of glucosamine and omega fatty acids and by ensuring that it is provided in their food, it negates the need to have to provide supplements. We recommend Nutro Wholesome Essentials Small Breed Senior for older Pomeranians.
Why Is My Pomeranian Always Hungry?
A Pomeranian that is always begging or looking for food may not be getting enough food at mealtimes, or he may be lacking in certain nutrients and vitamins that he isn’t getting from his food. Ensure that you are measuring his meals, that you are feeding enough meals daily, and that you buy quality food. You can also consider providing a diet that is higher in fiber. Fiber tends to fill your dog, without piling on the pounds, so he may be less inclined to look for additional food but will still get all the vitamins and nutrients he requires.
You should avoid the temptation to free feed, which means leaving food down at all times. It is difficult to monitor and maintain the exact amount of food you are giving, and it may mean that your dog is eating too much or too often. Try to stick to timed meals and ensure that they are given at roughly the same time every day.
What Foods Are Bad for Pomeranians?
There are several foods that you should never feed any dog. These toxic foods include ingredients like garlic and chocolate. Not only are some of these considered bad for your dog’s health because they can lead to long-term health problems, but they can have immediate and dire effects. Always err on the side of caution and avoid giving your dog human foods if you are in any doubt whatsoever, and remember that salt and processed foods are bad for your dog but are omnipresent in a human’s diet.
Conclusion
The Pomeranian is a small but characterful breed. He might be a toy breed but he remembers that he is descended from sledding dogs, and he has the attitude to match. He has moderate exercise requirements, which can be met through regular playtimes and routine walks. To help ensure that he is healthy and that your Pom lives a long life, you should ensure that you feed him good quality food and that you feed him on the right timescale. Determine whether you want to feed dry food, wet food, a combination of the two, or if you want to adopt a raw feeding diet.
We have included a feeding chart that you can use as a guide for your Pomeranian puppy to see roughly how much you should be feeding at any stage up to 12 months old. But remember that factors such as energy levels and age also play an important part in determining the actual amount you feed your dog each day.
Featured Image Credit: aonip, Shutterstock
